It's been a while sinse I posted here. I am still trying to find out as much as I can about blebs. I have read many articles; but nothing is really clear about my sons diagnosis. I did feel better when we got a second opinion a few months ago; and the pulmonary specialist said that my sons blebs are caused by his congenital diaphragmatic hernia. But he has had many x-rays over the years, and we were always told lungs looked good. We knew our sons left lung would not ever be fully developed due to the stomach,etc. compressing in his chest cavity. (he had the hernia repaired when he was three hours old. He is now 15 and is doing well; considering these blebs in his lungs. He uses advair, and so far is doing well on it. He likes the fact that it has the bronchial dilator/steroid all in one disk. He uses it twice a day. He has not had to be admitted for asthma ever. I just want to make sure I am doing everything possible for my big guy. We were told this type of emphysema/blebs is not progressive; if so, how did the blebs develop?? This turned out to be kind of long, I was only going to ask for some info. I need to get my list together for the specialist; I need him to explain to me how the blebs developed??? We were told that pneumothorax is a possibility. I pray that doesn't happen.
Take care, Kathy

Blebs are normal for skinny people. If they burst (spontaneous pneumothorax) your lung collapses. Given the circumstances they will remove the bleb and perform different types of surgeries. I don't know the names of them but I'll describe mine. They removed it and "glued" my lung in place with talc. I've had collapsed lungs on both sides, the surgeries on both sides. So both of mine are glued in. Now with your son there's really nothing you can do to prevent it. Learn the signs and hopefully it will never happen. Mine happened within 3 years. The first lung was in my sleep and 4:00 the next day I was passing in and out!! 95% collapsed. the second one I was watching tv, felt the pains got pale, went to bed. I knew what was wrong but I didn't want to go through the pain. It sealed on it's own and two days after the initial burst and collapsed at work. I was out for two months total. Learn the signs pains by your shoulder blades, shortness of breath, pale , and exhaustion. It can really happen to anyone but it's common with tall and skinny people with LONG arms especially. I hope this helped, good luck and god bless.

Thanks for your replies, and I hope you are both feeling well. Information is really what we all need. So far so good (no spontaneous pneumothorax's) I am constantly asking my son (Corey) if he is feeling ok/different. He is doing pretty good with remembering to use his inhaler. We also have learned that vitamin c is very good for the lungs and helping to heal.
Take care, Kathy